If you are a fan, you know that Chris Walla is an invaluable member of the band Death Cab For Cutie and is a huge reason for their success over the last couple of years. He is a multi-instrumentalist and producer for the band (also for many other indie-rock bands) but his solo work really shows that he is far more than that in his day job. He is the engine that drives the machine.
Field Manual, Walla's solo debut, sounds like a Death Cab record. I understand this sound may not be breaking any new ground and may be counter-intuitive to discovering new music, but I think this is so interesting because you can hear the mastermind at work and finally getting the accolades he deserves. As I understand it, Walla is mainstay in the Northwest music scene and a sought after producer, but stepping out into the spotlight with this album shows the true talent of an otherwise afterthought when reading the credits in the liner notes.
Lyrically, he is not as gifted or precious as Ben Gibbard. Who is? Not that he doesn't try pulling at heartstrings from time to time but Walla seems to want to branch out, commenting on social issues and lashing out at the government on some songs. For me, these attempts produce eye rolls but you have to give the guy credit for trying.
Interesting album from a guy who has been around. It is a debut album, but it's not his first rodeo. And you can tell.
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